If you’re not already creeped out by Warner Bros. upcoming “The Dark Knight” flick, then maybe a roller coaster set in the middle of the movie will raise the hair’s on the back of your neck. Six Flags‘ Dark Knight Coaster is set to open in late spring, building up buzz for the movie that opens later this summer.
According to Six Flags, “As part of the experience, park guests will see, hear and feel the action of the movie the moment they enter the ride queue line, as they are transformed into citizens of Gotham City — caught in the middle of a city under siege and torn apart by The Joker. Guests will then board a Gotham City rail car and careen through demented hallways of twists, turns, unseen hills and chaotic images, and continue to be tormented by The Joker as they are thrust onto the battlefield of good vs. evil. Will The Dark Knight save them in time? ”
The trailer for the new Hulk movie just debuted and well, I really really really want to like it. Edward Norton looks great as Banner. The overall plot seems good enough. It seems to have a lot more action than that snoozefest Hulk movie from a few year’s back that I’d rather just forget. And even the idea that they need the Hulk to help save the day from the Abomination sounds great. It’s a lot like the comics; the Hulk is a power to be contained or killed, except when the government realizes they need him. Neat.
So what’s my problem? Sigh. Same thing as the last Hulk movie. The CGI. I’m so sick of lame CGI. By lame I mean the type where you can tell it’s CGI. The Hulk looks “okay,” but really fake. And the Abomination looks downright ridiculous. If this were an animated movie throughout, it’d be fine. Or if they had amazing makeup, it’d be perfect. But for some reason I just can’t get into this CGI. Maybe the final deal on a big screen will change my mind, but it’s really hard to like a Hulk movie if you don’t like how the hero and villain look.
Yes, I’m skeptical about the “Watchmen” movie. How could anyone NOT be? But Zack Synder totally nailed Frank Miller’s “300.” And not only has he kept up an official Watchmen movie blog, but today he just released the first real photos of the main cast. And holy crap I cannot wait! Heck, I’ll even suffer through some horrific Kate Hudson movie if it means seeing the Watchmen trailer before it!
Sweet Jesus in a Birch Bark Canoe! Finally someone’s snatched up the license to the best cop buddy team this side of Chief Wiggums and that pink frosted donut. Symbiote Studios will be developing urban vinyl figures and statues for the Sam & Max license. No other news available yet in terms of cost, release, etc. But this sketch accompanied the announcement, so I’m assuming this is the original idea for the statue. I’m more interested in the urban vinyl figures, though, and would LOVE somebody to pick up an action figure line and do posable figures of them with insane weapons (including a make-your-own soap gun).
Great job on this one. Usually I find these parody videos cute for a second and the quality blows and nobody’s mouth matches the dialogue, etc. But this one is damn sharp and beautifully edited. And pretty damn funny.
I would so pay good money to see this flick if it ever came out. Stick with this preview trailer till near the end, it’s worth it. And fairly short overall.
DC Comics has listed 30 Essential Graphic Novels on their website. But based on the list and the explanation that these are the “best-selling titles that you must read,” this sounds more like a popularity contest mixed in with some quality measurements. I certainly agree with about 60% of this list. Watchmen. Dark Knight. Y the Last Man. Fables. V for Vendetta. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Sure, those are all super solid picks, as well as some of the straight superhero fare like Identity Crisis and JLA.
But how on Earth (or any one of countless Earths…) can they seriously justify saying any of the following books are part of the 30 MUST-READ books for comic fans old and new alike:
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies – I know this was a huge seller, but the storyline was so godawful it was beyond laughable.
Batman: Arkham Asylum – Oh, it’s by Grant Morrison, so it has to be on the list. Bull. It’s a gorgeous book to be sure. Beautiful Dave McKean painted art. But come on, the convulted storyline was average at best.
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again – Uh, the original series is one of the greatest comic stories of all time. This sequel was one of the worst sequels of all-time. Miller’s art deteriorated into a caricature of itself. And that story? What the hell was it all about? I can quote you pages of dialogue from the original series and point out 97 different amazingly awesome moments. This sequel? I can’t even remember one single thing that happened.
Hellblazer: Original Sins – I loved this Hellblazer series. But I didn’t realize how boring and mundane Jamie Delano’s run was until Garth Ennis came onboard. Granted, this isn’t a horrible pick for the list, since it really introduces Constantine as a character and sets up the series, but going with Ennis’ “Dangerous Habits” graphic novel would be a far better choice. It’s also easily accessible and a really well done tale.
There are a couple other books on here I haven’t had a chance to read, but I may pick up just based on their recommendation (and then I’ll curse the list out even more). I’m thinking about Superman: Birthright and Green Lantern: Rebirth in particular.
Let me start by saying, I seriously enjoyed Rob Liefeld’s art on his original “Hawk & Dove” mini-series for DC. It was fresh, crisp and energetic. Real good storyline too courtesy of Karl Kesel. But then something happened. Liefeld got onto New Mutants and his art starting changing. Muscles grew exponentionally. Pouches started appearing at a Tribbles-type rate. And everyone started carrying around guns the size of houses.
I could go on and on about Liefeld’s art (Don’t get me started on his “no more A on Captain America” era…), but instead, I’ll just point you over to The 40 Worst Rob Liefeld Drawings courtesy of Progressive Boink. They did a bang-up job not just showing off some great, er, bad examples from Liefeld’s career, but the detailed commentary really gets the point across. Here’s a few of my favorite drawings to mock:
Scott Beatty‘s got a brand-spakin’ new book out and this spiffy looking hardcover hits two of the things closest to his heart: DC Comics characters and action figures. I know first-hand what an insane DC trivia geek Scott is, and he certainly knows his toys as well. In fact, he generally won’t shut up about them once you get him going.
The DC Comics Action Figure Archive retails for $40 (yeowch), but you can snag at at Amazon right now for just $24. Support a true fanboy and get yourself a nice big book full of cool trivia and lotsa pics, all wrapped up and disguised as a coffee table book. Me? I’m still waiting very very patiently for my Ambush Bug action figure to come out, complete with sidekick Cheeks the Wonder Toy…
Not exactly sure where or how to get one of these, but this would certainly encourage me to actually buy a suit, or some nice shirts at the very least. According to the Design Spotter site, this Hanger Super is:
Super is a coat hanger which shape is connection between classic hanger and sign of superman. This hanger will be hidden under your favourit jacket or shirt. It is made in typical red, blue and yellow colour or in black and white.
Designer: Roman Ficek Made in Slovakia
It’s made by Comunistar, yet I can’t find it on their official site anywhere for some reason…
The Hero Initiative creates a financial safety net for comic creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work.
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies – I know this was a huge seller, but the storyline was so godawful it was beyond laughable.
Hellblazer: Original Sins – I loved this Hellblazer series. But I didn’t realize how boring and mundane Jamie Delano’s run was until Garth Ennis came onboard. Granted, this isn’t a horrible pick for the list, since it really introduces Constantine as a character and sets up the series, but going with Ennis’ “Dangerous Habits” graphic novel would be a far better choice. It’s also easily accessible and a really well done tale.
